Dynamically deployable low-visibility pneumatic cofferdam system, method and apparatus

Abstract

A dynamically deployable, low visibility pneumatic cofferdam for flood mitigation is disclosed. The cofferdam includes a first planar component, a second planar component, an inflatable hermetic airbag sandwiched therebetween, and connection members attached to the first planar component, a second planar component to form a cofferdam unit. The connection members are adjustable to apply and maintain a desired amount of pressure on the airbag to enable a watertight seal to be formed. The cofferdam units may be sized and designed to sealingly mate adjacent cofferdam units in a variety of configurations to form watertight seals. The cofferdam units may also be sized and designed to attach to seawalls, flood walls, sidewalks, or other infrastructure. When in a deployed state, the height of the cofferdam may be adjusted to a desired height to provide flood mitigation. When in an undeployed state, the cofferdam remains in a substantially flat and unobtrusive position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dynamically deployable cofferdam system, comprising:
 a plurality of first planar components forming resilient upper cofferdam members that are moveable between an undeployed position and a deployed position; 
 a plurality of second planar components forming resilient lower cofferdam members; 
 a plurality of inflatable hermetic bag members, defining internal chambers to receive a volume of air, disposed between the upper cofferdam members and the lower cofferdam members; 
 a plurality of connection members to form an attachment between the upper cofferdam members and the lower cofferdam members and facilitate formation of a watertight seal between the inflatable hermetic bag, the upper cofferdam members, and the lower cofferdam members through an application of pressure from the upper cofferdam members and the lower cofferdam members to the inflatable hermetic bag member; and 
 one or more pumps serving as air sources to inflate the inflatable hermetic bag members to a desired pressure, 
 wherein the plurality of connection members facilitates movement of the upper cofferdam members from the undeployed position to the deployed position at a desired height to form a flood mitigation barrier. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper cofferdam members have a substantially rectangular cross-section sized to form a seal at an interface with an adjacent one of the upper cofferdam members. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper cofferdam members have a substantially curvilinear cross-section sized to form a seal at an interface with an adjacent one of the upper cofferdam members. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower cofferdam members include one or more anchor members to attach the lower cofferdam members to a base support surface. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable hermetic bag members have a substantially rectangular cross-section sized to form a seal at an interface with an adjacent one of the inflatable hermetic bag members. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the plurality of connection members is adjustable to apply a desired amount of pressure on the inflatable hermetic bag members and facilitate deployment of the upper cofferdam members to the desired height. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hinge members attached to the upper cofferdam members and the lower cofferdam members to secure the plurality of connection members. 
     
     
       8. A dynamically deployable cofferdam apparatus, comprising:
 a first planar component forming a resilient upper cofferdam member that is moveable between an undeployed position and a deployed position; 
 a second planar component forming a resilient lower cofferdam member; 
 an inflatable hermetic bag member, defining an internal chamber to receive a volume of air, disposed between the upper cofferdam member and the lower cofferdam member; and 
 a plurality of connection members to form an attachment between the upper cofferdam member and the lower cofferdam member and facilitate formation of a watertight seal between the inflatable hermetic bag, the upper cofferdam members, and the lower cofferdam members through an application of pressure from the upper cofferdam members and the lower cofferdam members to the inflatable hermetic bag member, 
 wherein the plurality of connection members facilitate movement of the upper cofferdam member from the undeployed position to the deployed position at a desired height to form a flood mitigation barrier. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the upper cofferdam member has a substantially rectangular cross-section sized to form a seal at an interface with an adjacent upper cofferdam member. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the upper cofferdam member has a substantially curvilinear cross-section sized to form a seal at an interface with an adjacent upper cofferdam member. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lower cofferdam member includes one or more anchor members to attach the lower cofferdam members to a base support surface. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the inflatable hermetic bag member has a substantially rectangular cross-section sized to form a seal at an interface with an adjacent inflatable hermetic bag member. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more pumps serving as air sources to inflate the inflatable hermetic bag member to a desired pressure. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the length of the plurality of connection members is adjustable to apply a desired amount of pressure on the inflatable hermetic bag members and facilitate deployment of the upper cofferdam members to the desired height. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more hinge members attached to the upper cofferdam member and the lower cofferdam member to secure the plurality of connection members. 
     
     
       16. A method of manufacturing a flood mitigation barrier, the method comprising:
 arranging an inflatable hermetic bag member, defining an internal chamber to receive a volume of air, between a first planar component forming a resilient upper cofferdam member and a second planar component forming a resilient lower cofferdam member; 
 attaching, via a plurality of connection members, the upper cofferdam member and the lower cofferdam member to facilitate formation of a watertight seal between the inflatable hermetic bag, the upper cofferdam members, and the lower cofferdam members through an application of pressure from the upper cofferdam members and the lower cofferdam members to the inflatable hermetic bag member; and 
 inflating, via one or more pumps as air sources, the inflatable hermetic airbag to a desired pressure such that the upper cofferdam member is moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position at a desired height. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising attaching the lower cofferdam member to a base support surface. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, before inflating the inflatable hermetic airbag, detecting a potential flood condition. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the inflatable hermetic airbag is inflated in response to the detection. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising deflating the inflatable hermetic airbag in response to a detection that the flood condition has subsided in a manner such that the upper cofferdam member is moved from the deployed position to the undeployed position.